Cayenne Pepper Know Your Herbs and Spices
Powdered cayenne pepper that you buy in the spice section is actually a blend of several chilies ground together. Cayenne peppers are medium in size about 2 to 5 inches in length and about 1/2-inch in diameter.
Unlike other peppers in the capsaicin family, cayenne chilies are sold dried and usually are in bunches. Whole chilies can be added to soups, chili and stews. These dried peppers crumble easily to add as little or as much as you need.
Cayenne pepper is often called for to balance a recipe. Remember to use it sparingly; a little goes a long way. I add no more than 1/4 teaspoon to a large batch of soup at a time. Practice STS. Stir. Taste. Stir. It’s hard to balance hot out of a dish without watering it down too much.
These peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical that gives the peppers their heat. Capsaicin is linked to possible health benefits. Naturally high in vitamin A, Cayenne pepper is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties as well a pain reliever. You can even buy pain relief cream with capsaicin in it.
If you are old-fashioned and want to eat your peppers try sprinkling cayenne on your omelet. Add it to seafood and mixing it with Italian seasoning to coat roasted potatoes.
So spice it up pinch at a time!
